I'd checked the ferry times to Capri and we decided we would leave late morning. I wanted to let the kids have a bit of a sleep in, then breakfast and a visit to the TIM phone shop as I'm unable to send text messages. We finally for moving about nine and went to the breakfast room. I asked the waiter what food Riley could safely eat and when I showed him his allergy card, he gave him a big kiss and went off to the kitchen and came back with the chef. They walked Riley around and piled up his plate with what he could eat; too bad whether he...

Buongiorno,
The last two nights of our tour were spent in Naples. Then we extended our stay in Naples by three nights (in the same hotel). It has been a good break. We’ve rested up, caught up on laundry and we’re ready for Part 2 of our trip.
We did a lot of walking in Naples and we’ve got the street crossing thing figured out (as best as one can). It’s all about the eye contact. You have to stare them down and don’t hesitate.
Sunday we went on an excursion to Mt. Vesuvius. The bus took us to the car park at an elevation of 1,000 metres....

The kiddie winks weren't in a hurry to wake up this morning which is fair enough. They are getting a bit tired and we'd agreed on 9:00am for breakfast. Riley and I finally got there about 9:15, Sarah gave it a miss.
We are off the Positano and Amalfi today on the bus. We headed to the train station as the buses also leave from here and bought all-day tickets which also allowed us to use the local buses and were on board and ready for the 11:00am bus. I'd done some reading on the journey so told the kids to sit on the right hand side of the...

We didn't have to check out of our room until 12 so I let the kids sleep until 9:15. They are both a bit weary and we decided we weren't too keen to look at anything else in Naples so rest seemed a good idea. I woke them at 9:15 to have breakfast as it finishes at 10:00. May as well have not bothered a s Sarah had a bowl of coco pops and that was it. Riley had a little bit of sausage and egg. Kids went back to our room and I went out to find a working ATM. The one I tried last night didn't work. It still wasn't working this morning so went...

We missed having breakfast this morning because by the time I woke the kids and we were all organised, we didn't have a lot of time before we had to meet the tour bus to Pompeii and Vesuvius. Fortunately, the meeting point was just across the square from where we are staying and our guide arrived shortly after we did.
Grand final day in Australia and the mighty Eagles were playing so Riley and I had our noses stuck in the live scores as we made our way to the meeting point and then on to Pompeii.
We were met at Pompeii by our local guide...

Visited Pompeii and Herculaneum. Pompeii had 20,000 people killed by sulphur dioxide fumes and then they were covered by ash. Herculaneum residents were covered with molten lava in 79 A. D. Today 3 million residents live around Mt. Vesuvius. It is Italy's most dangerous volcano and our guide said that experts can predict activity 7 days in advance. He hopes that they are right.

Time to say farewell to beautiful Venice. We've loved our apartment and our wanders around the city. Check out time is 10:00am and our train to Naples leaves at 11:30 so no need to rush our breakfast or packing. I had to take our rubbish down to the rubbish boat that waits at the edge of the nearby square every morning for mixed rubbish and takes various recyclables every other day. Today is paper and cardboard day. Certainly different walking your rubbish down to a boat.
Riley finished off the pasta for breakfast and then he and I took a...

Visited a buffalo farm that produced mozzarella. Saw them making the cheese and then went to a another Buffalo farm that had 1000 animals. We then made our own wood-fired pizzas. Quite a bit of fun.
Then on to Naples which had horrible traffic. There's a subway strike, thousands of people milling around and some bigwig politician was at the same museum we were at. Not to mention we saw at least 3 cruise ships. It a bit of a dirty city.

Buonasera,
On Wednesday we had a free day in Sorrento. We explored churches, took a stroll through the lemon grove, walked down to the waterfront, talked to the wood inlaid craftsmen and had a wonderful lunch in a beautiful garden restaurant.
On our last night in Sorrento, our group was invited to an authentic Italian dinner at the home of Teresa and Luigi. They only host these dinners for Rick Steve tours. They have a beautiful garden at their home filled with lemon trees, lime trees, kiwis and vegetables. At the back of the property...

Buongiorno,
Yesterday morning we said goodbye to our hotel on the cliff side in Positano. You guessed it...we played the switch the bus on the hairpin turn game again but this time in reverse. However before we even left the hotel, there was drama. The first mini-bus showed up to pick up the luggage and the first 8 passengers. The only way this works is if the driver can park the bus as close to the hotel as possible with the back of the bus lined up with the front door so they can load the luggage directly from the lobby into the back of...

Buonasera from beautiful Positano,
Our last night in Matera, we went up to the piazza to take in the evening tradition of la passeggiata. The piazza was full and bustling...older couples sitting in the square, kids running around playing and laughing, dogs out with their owners, people slowly strolling around, entertainers drawing a crowd to cheer on their breakdancing, coloured lights, shops open for business and people just enjoying each other’s company and life. It was wonderful.
Sunday morning we left Matera and headed back through the...

Golly I woke up this morning, learning that we were only a seven hours South of Amalfi. Wow, today we are only traveling 50 miles. Hmmmm.. stopping at our favorite spot is always fun. The three of us were beyond happy knowing that we are going to be able to enjoy the bestest of restaurants, on a small terrace over looking the sea, in the charming town of Amalfi. A treat with many things to celebrate! We are half way to Cannes. Soon, when we get Stephen onboard on Monday.... we will probably be going day/night round the clock without...